Tryphon

Trifon Zarezan, also known as Vintner's Day, is a cherished Bulgarian national holiday celebrated on February 14th, coinciding with Saint Valentine's Day. While Saint Valentine's Day is widely associated with romance and love, Trifon Zarezan holds a unique place in Bulgarian culture, honoring Saint Tryphon, the patron saint of vineyards, winegrowers, and gardeners.

On February 1, the Orthodox Church commemorates the Holy Martyr Tryphon, a revered healing saint. Traditionally, Bulgarians observed the symbolic spring pruning of vines on February 14, known as "Tryphon Zarezan" in honor of the saint. Folklore depicts Saint Tryphon as the guardian of vineyards, revered by winegrowers, winemakers, and innkeepers.

Published for the first time in Varlık magazine on Jan. 15, 1936, renowned short story writer Sait Faik Abasıyanık offers a glimpse into the world of an orphan named Trifon in his story "Stelyanos Hrisopulos Gemisi" (The Stelyanos Hrisopulos).

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church honors on Thursday, February 1, the Day of Saint Trifon, the patron of vine-growers, wine-producers and tavern-keepers.

The holiday is widely known in Bulgaria as Trifon Zarezan - from the Bulgarian verb "zariazvam" meaning to prune vines.